#25 Orange Takes on North Carolina Thursday

RV/25 Syracuse (11-3, 1-0) vs. North Carolina (11-5, 0-0)
Game Details: Wednesday, January 7 | 7:00 p.m.
Location: Carmichael Arena | Chapel Hill, N.C.
Game Coverage: Live Stats | Audio | Video | @CuseWBB Twitter
Television: ESPN3
Game Notes: Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The No. 25 Syracuse University women's basketball team will play its first Atlantic Coast Conference contest on the road when it plays at North Carolina on Thursday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Thursday's contest will broadcast on ESPN3 with Dean Linke (pbp) and Bobby Hundley (analyst) on the call. Brian Higgins '04 (pbp) will be on the call live on the Syracuse IMG Sports Network. As always, follow @CuseWBB on Twitter for live in-game updates.

In its last game, Syracuse handed then-No. 12/12 Duke an 86-50 defeat on Jan. 3. It marked the Orange's largest margin of victory against a top-25 team in program history. In addition, it was the Blue Devils' largest margin of defeat since a 97-61 loss against Virginia on Feb. 13, 1993.

North Carolina enters Thursday's game with an 11-5 overall record. The Tar Heels have won each of their past five contests, four of which were played in the friendly confines of Carmichael Arena. UNC opened conference competition with a 72-56 victory against Clemson on Jan. 3.

200 Wins and Counting for Hillsman
In his first attempt to get his 200th victory of his collegiate coaching career, Syracuse University head women's basketball coach Quentin Hillsman and his Orange faced a mighty challenge. The team faced No. 12/12 Duke in its ACC opener on Jan. 3 in the Carrier Dome, but certainly did not look fazed as it coasted to an 86-50 win.

Syracuse dismantled Duke, forcing 32 turnovers on the defensive end and knocking down 50 percent of its field goal attempts on offense. When all was said and done, the Orange recorded its largest margin of victory against a top-25 opponent in program history. It also marked Duke's largest margin of defeat in conference play since a 97-61 loss against Virginia on Feb. 13, 1993.

Hillsman, now in his 10th season at the helm of the Orange program, ranks second in program history behind Barbara Jacobs in coaching victories. Jacobs won 229 games from 1979-93. Hillsman owns the top winning percentage in Syracuse history, winning more than 64 percent of his games coached.

Last Time Out
Head coach Quentin Hillsman recorded his 200th victory of his collegiate coaching career as Syracuse University trounced No. 12/12 Duke, 86-50, on Jan. 3 in the Carrier Dome. It marked Syracuse's largest margin of victory against a top-25 opponent in program history.

Syracuse opened the game on a 15-3 run and never looked back against Duke. The Blue Devils once trimmed the deficit to nine points, but that would be the closest it would get as the Orange coasted to a 36-point victory. It marked Duke's largest margin of defeat in conference play since a 97-61 loss against Virginia on Feb. 13, 1993.

The Syracuse defense was stifling on Sunday afternoon. Heading into the contest, the Orange ranked fourth nationally with 25.00 turnovers forced per contest. The Blue Devils committed 32 turnovers on the day. SU capitalized off the misfortune of its opponents, scoring 27 points off turnovers.

Syracuse was efficient on the offensive end, as well. The Orange made 32-of-64 of its field goal attempts, its best field goal percentage of the year. The squad also knocked down 14 3-point field goals, which was one shy of matching the SU single-game record.

For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.

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